Reading Plan · Day 294
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
Mark 7-9
Day 294
Previously · Day 293 · Mark 4-6
The previous day's reading covered Jesus' rise in fame.
Day 294 Read
Where You Stopped
Mark 7
1And there are gathered together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashen, hands.
3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands diligently, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders; 4and when they come from the marketplace, except they bathe themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to hold, washings of cups, and pots, and brasen vessels.)
5And the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands?
1Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Commentary · verses 1-5
6And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, But their heart is far from me.
7But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Commentary · verses 6-7
Jesus referenced Isaiah 29:13 and called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites: their SAY (lips) did not correspond with their DO (heart). Jesus said that people who teach man-made doctrine worship God in vain.
8Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.
8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Commentary · verse 8
They put aside God's commandments and held the tradition of men in its place.
Doctrines on this passage
9And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition.
9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Commentary · verse 9
They were rejecting God so they could keep their own tradition. Jesus gave a specific example...
10For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death: 11but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given to God; 12ye no longer suffer him to do aught for his father or his mother; 13making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.
10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Commentary · verses 10-13
Man-made tradition in place of God's Word makes the Word of God void (to deprive of force and authority, vain, unprofitable). These people even had a name for their man-made doctrine in this area: "Corban".
Doctrines on this passage
14And he called to him the multitude again, and said unto them, Hear me all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
16 17And when he was entered into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked of him the parable.
18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? This he said, making all meats clean.
20And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man.
21For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: 23all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.
14And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
17And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Commentary · verses 14-23
What comes out of man is what defiles him and it comes out through his heart. The heart does not lie. What is planted in (comes through) the heart will result in an effect through Justice, which includes judgment. The cause of our wickedness does not come from outside ourselves, it comes from within ourselves.
Doctrines on this passage
24And from thence he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it; and he could not be hid.
25But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet.
26Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.
27And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.
28But she answered and saith unto him, Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter.
30And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out.
24And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
25For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
26The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
27But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
28And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
30And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
Commentary · verses 24-30
A Gentile woman asked for her daughter to be healed, Jesus said that "the children (Israel) first be filled," but the woman had great faith and Jesus healed her daughter. In Matthew's account of this story (Matthew 15:22-28), the woman confessed Jesus as the Messiah three times.
31And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis.
31And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
Commentary · verses 32-37
Verses 32-37: Jesus healed a deaf and dumb man.
32And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him.
33And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; 34and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
35And his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
36And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it.
37And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
32And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
33And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
34And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
35And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
36And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;
37And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
Commentary · verse 37
Jesus made a statement where the object of the healing was the subject of the statement. The people were astonished by the works of Christ.
Where You Stopped
Mark 8
Commentary · verses 1-9
Verses 1-9: the supernatural feeding of the 4000.
1In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, 2I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:
1In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
2I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
Commentary · verse 2
Jesus had compassion on the people.
3and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far.
4And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?
5And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
6And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.
7And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them.
8And they ate, and were filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets.
9And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
3And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
4And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
5And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
6And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
7And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
8So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
9And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
Commentary · verse 9
Again, Jesus fed the multitudes through order and giving.
10And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.
10And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
Commentary · verses 10-11
The Pharisees sought a sign from Jesus, tempting/testing Him. This would have been a sign as a cause, whereas Jesus did all of His miracles as an effect, in response to a need that was presented to Him.
12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
Commentary · verse 12
Jesus gave no sign. Jesus knew their intention. Hebrews 11:1 stated faith is "belief without seeing." Without a need, their faith wouldn't be necessary. Faith would be required first for a sign to manifest in response to the need.
13And he left them, and again entering into the boat departed to the other side.
14And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them more than one loaf.
15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
13And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
14Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Commentary · verses 13-15
Jesus warned the Disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod: the man-made religion and the government.
16And they reasoned one with another, saying, We have no bread.
17And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened?
18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20And when the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces took ye up? And they say unto him, Seven.
21And he said unto them, Do ye not yet understand?
16And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
17And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
21And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
Commentary · verses 16-21
The Disciples continued to focus on the physical when they reasoned about the bread even though they had two experiences where Jesus was able to feed thousands.
22And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him.
23And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught?
22And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
23And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
Commentary · verses 22-23
This healing was very unique in many ways. There are two ways to look at this story. We will present both through questions and let you decide what happened. Jesus took this man by the hand and walked him out of the village. Jesus put spit in a blind man's eyes to heal him. Of all the people that Jesus healed, this man had the most contact with Jesus: physical touch for minutes as they walked out of the village and Jesus' bodily fluids in his eyes. Jesus asked if he saw "ought". This was the only healing where Jesus questioned the results.
24And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold them as trees, walking.
24And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
Commentary · verse 24
The man said he saw men "as trees, walking." Did Jesus not heal him enough? or did Jesus heal him too much? Was he not seeing the physical well enough or too well? Did this man see into the supernatural? Our brains are made up of dendrites which was the Greek word for "trees". Did this man see people's thoughts and not realize it?...he did have Jesus' bodily fluids in his eyes and we've seen that Jesus could see people's thought process: Mark 2:8.
25Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly.
25After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
Commentary · verse 25
Jesus made it so the man saw clearly. The Greek word for "clearly" meant "from a distance." The man was restored: brought back to the original condition being able to see men from a distance. Was this restored up to being able to see the physical clearly or restored back to only being able to see the physical clearly? Notice, the ability to get healed would have been dependent on the man's faith because Jesus would not fail in a healing because if He did it would be His fault. Did the man have an extremely high amount of faith because of the personal contact with Jesus? Did the man's faith lessen when the healing did not restore him the first time or did the man's faith increase when he was able to see something, even a blurry image?
26And he sent him away to his home, saying, Do not even enter into the village.
26And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Commentary · verse 26
Jesus did not want this man to go home by going into the village. Jesus did not want this man immediately interacting with other people. Was this because Jesus did not want a multitude to pursue Him or was it because Jesus did not want this man explaining to others that he saw supernaturally? or continue to practice looking at people and seeing their thought processes?
27And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Cæsarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am?
28And they told him, saying, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets.
29And he asked them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
27And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
28And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
Commentary · verses 27-29
Jesus asked who people said He was. Then, Jesus was able to specifically ask the Disciples who they thought He was. Peter made his confession that Jesus was the Christ. This was the confession that the church is built on.
30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Commentary · verses 30-31
Jesus told them not to tell anyone and then began teaching about His suffering, death, and resurrection.
32And he spake the saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
Commentary · verse 32
Peter rebuked Jesus. Peter told Jesus He was wrong, to His face, after declaring Jesus was the Son of God.
33But he turning about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.
33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Commentary · verse 33
Jesus called Peter Satan. Could there be any name worse to call Peter, especially when the source of this name calling was the embodiment of Right and Just?
34And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall save it.
36For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
37For what should a man give in exchange for his life?
34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Commentary · verses 34-37
We gain through loss. People always become better by going through worse. God will prune us back so we grow more: John 15. Jesus consistently spoke of the spiritual realm by using physical examples.
Doctrines on this passage
38For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
38Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Doctrines on this passage
Where You Stopped
Mark 9
1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power.
2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them;
1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
Commentary · verses 1-2
The Kingdom of God is the eternal kingdom that will be established after Final Judgment. The kingdom of heaven is now and includes good and evil. The Kingdom of God will only have good. Jesus stated some would see the Kingdom of God come with power, and then Peter, James, and John saw Jesus transfigured. These three were the Disciples Jesus was in agreement with the most. In the Bible, the Glory of God manifested only when everyone present was in agreement.
3and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.
4And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
Commentary · verses 3-4
Jesus' spiritual Nature and Power became physically manifested as exceeding white light. Next, Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah. There was no value to Jesus teaching Moses and Elijah anything. The reason for this discussion was for Jesus to get "final instructions" as to the Law and prophecy before He made His final visit to Jerusalem to fulfill the Law and prophecy.
5And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
6For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid.
7And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.
5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Commentary · verses 5-7
God the Father testified that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus did not say these words Himself.
8And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
9And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead.
8And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
Commentary · verses 8-9
Jesus charged Peter, James, and John to tell no man of these events until He rose again from the dead.
10And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean.
11And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come?
12And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought?
13But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him.
10And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
11And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?
12And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
13But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
Commentary · verses 10-13
Jesus said Elijah must come first but that he had already come. John the Baptist was the spiritual Elijah that came before Jesus' first time on earth. Elijah will physically come for the Jews as one of the Two Witnesses (Revelation 7) prior to Jesus' second physical coming to earth.
14And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them.
15And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
16And he asked them, What question ye with them?
17And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; 18and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able.
14And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
15And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
16And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
Commentary · verses 14-18
The Disciples failed at casting out an evil spirit.
19And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me.
19He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Commentary · verse 19
Jesus called them faithless. Faith is proven by actions. The Disciples did not get the actions (healing) that would result from having faith.
20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.
22And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.
23And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.
20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Commentary · verses 20-23
The father asked Jesus to have compassion. Jesus responded by putting the responsibility back on the father's faith.
24Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead.
27But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.
28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out?
29And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer.
24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Commentary · verses 24-29
This was a special case of spiritual warfare where the demon(s) would be cast out by prayer, not only faith and making a statement where the object of the healing was the subject of the statement.
30And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again.
32But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
30And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Commentary · verses 30-32
Jesus taught more about His suffering, death, and resurrection. The Disciples did not understand and they were afraid to ask.
33And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way?
34But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest.
35And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.
33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Commentary · verses 33-35
Jesus taught about His death and the Disciples did not understand and did not ask. Then Jesus heard them talking. Was it about His death? No. The Disciples argued over who was the greatest. This sounded like teenage boys: more focused on competing with each other than understanding Jesus. Jesus explained those who serve the most were the greatest.
36And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, 37Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us.
36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Commentary · verses 36-38
The Disciples forbade a man to cast out devils in Jesus' Name because the man did not follow them.
39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.
39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Commentary · verse 39
Jesus told them not to forbid the man. Anyone who does a miracle in Jesus' Name will not quickly speak evil of Jesus. This meant that man would think before he spoke evil of Jesus.
40For he that is not against us is for us.
40For he that is not against us is on our part.
Commentary · verse 40
The man, although not physically following Jesus, must be with Jesus because whoever is not against Jesus is for Jesus. This meant that if you are not for Jesus, you must be against Jesus.
Doctrines on this passage
41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ’s, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
42And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.
44 45And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell.
46 47And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; 48where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Commentary · verses 41-48
Notice, Jesus said that people who end up in the lake of fire exist eternally. They do not eventually end up in heaven. They do not eventually cease to exist.
Doctrines on this passage
49For every one shall be salted with fire.
50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
49For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Commentary · verses 49-50
Salt masks bitterness. If we got rid of bitterness, it would cause us to "be at peace one with another."
Commentary · verse 50
This day's reading covered the beginning of the resistance Jesus experienced from people and the religious leaders.
The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus why His Disciples did not walk according to the "tradition of the elders." Notice, the scribes and Pharisees initiated this exchange.